In Retrospect....

Don Wall's Studio (2012)Project: A studio for Tim Burton

In this studio, we were instructed to pursue and solidify a concept; no matter how ridiculous it would seem. (To design a studio for Tim Burton was strange enough)The professor, a man late in his 70s, would wander and sit beside each of us and discuss what we were investigating. When he sat by me, we would have discussions that would branch off into completely unrelated topics; it ranged from his extensive art collection to vulgar/dark humor.One day, he sat by me and I showed him what I'd done in the past week. Being a workspace for an artist, I showed him concepts for adjustable lighting systems. He saw this and completely rejected everything I had done. He said to start over with a concept that would continuously evolve. It is then, he revealed to me the method of Associative Thinking.

The method of Associative Thinking requires an origin. From this origin, whether through visualization, auditory stimuli, memory, sensation, or initial thought: a concept or 'node' is realized. Each realization/node is proceeded by another until one decides to 'stop thinking.' (There can be multiple nodes born from one.)The result, visually, is a tree-like figure in which the origin can be identified.I utilized this method for a period of a week. I analyzed my thought process and tried to depict Tim Burton's studio.

In the simplest of descriptions: A mechanical organism is suspended above Astor Place. How high it is suspended depends upon the 'safety of the neighborhood.' Its height also controls the amount of exposure as well as the interior. The skin acts as a canvas for Tim Burton's imagination.

Final Thoughts:A project which utilizes the associative thinking method cannot be deemed complete.The method allows for infinite possibility and outcomes.In this case, the project was only a solidified instance in an endless train of thought.

A concept should be pursued, no matter how ridiculous.

Tim Burton

Even

FairUnfair

Festival

Party

People

Live

Home

BuildingVillage

Town

BulldozerDozer

Sleep

CityManifest

Idea

Concept

Life

Advantage

Associative Thinking Diagram

Port

Dock

Ships

RigorDiscipline

VectorPoints

Fantasy

Conventional

Stone

Metal

Integer

LightDark

Heavy

Freeze

Age

Movie

Facts

PartAct

FluidLiquid Flu

Water Disease

Sound

Lens

Audio

Camera

Speech

SpeakersCD

Articulation

Record

Tone

MIcrophone

Language

Music

Voice Conversation Information Exchange

YoungEnergy

Work

InProfitOut

Dirty

Industry

Dirt

Production

Earth

Advertise

Dust

Product

Suction

Vacuum

Vortex

TryObject

Place At

Conflict

Attempt

Setting

Disagree

Arguement

Armed

SkinKinFamilyChildren

MotherFemale

Gatherer

FatherMaleHunter

EnclosureClosure

Conclusion

Finale

ClimaxMaximum MInimum

Site PlanAssociative Thinking and QuestionsUsing Associative Thinking as a tool, a network of inter-relatedwords is generated from a source. With a specific program in mindto be developed, one can link these words to generate a basic form and function.

To imbue a basic object, the power of inquiry can be utilized to address certain stimuli. A single question can result in numerous modifications to the original form and functions.

"So, What if the crime rate goes up?" -Nid (Guest Critic)

Responding to such a question involves the element of security to the individual as well as impacts on the local community.

Answer:If the crime rate goes up, the architecture can transforminto an unharmable object. This withdrawl from harm becomesan indicator of rising crime rates to the local community; the composition becomes an INDEX OF CRIME.

3rd

Ave

E 8th St

St. Mark's Pl

Crime Rate as Stimulus The Architecture under observationresponds to the flow of local crime. Crimes under scrutiny are property,

sex, and violent crimes. Low crime rates allows the architecture to be

vulnerable and open. Rising crime ratestransforms the architecture into a reclusive fortress, inaccessable to

anyone, unless invited.

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